Newly formed political action committees have spent nearly $500,000 this week to support third-party candidates in Nebraska’s U.S. Senate race, Federal Election Commission filings show. The spending has focused on Working People Party nominee Robin Richards and America First Party nominee Chuck Conboy.
The largest expenditure came from the Sandhills Education Fund, which spent about $385,000 supporting Richards and opposing independent candidate Dan Osborn. The spending included television advertising in Omaha and Lincoln, along with mailers and text messages.
“MAGA is ... pushing spoiler candidates like Robin Richards to try to trick voters with last-minute dark money.” — Nebraska Democratic Party Chair Jane Kleeb
The Nebraska Democratic Party has endorsed Osborn, who is challenging Republican incumbent Pete Ricketts. Kleeb made the statement Tuesday as the new spending appeared in the race.
Spending in support of Richards
Another PAC, Cornhusker Choice, spent about $77,500 this week, including money for text messages supporting Richards. KETV reported that the treasurer for Cornhusker Choice is also the treasurer for Cornhusker Majority PAC, a committee that supports Ricketts.
The PACs supporting Richards were formed in mid to late October, according to the Federal Election Commission filings. Their spending arrived near the end of the campaign before the Nov. 3 general election.
Spending involving Conboy
Conboy also received outside support. Principled Patriots PAC spent about $27,000 supporting Conboy and opposing Ricketts, the filings show.
Text messages paid for by Principled Patriots described Conboy as a “conservative” and said he would “stop overseas spending and bring troops home.” The messages also said Ricketts would not take those positions. Principled Patriots PAC was created in late September and opposes Republicans while supporting third-party candidates in races across the country.
The Senate race includes Ricketts, Osborn, Richards and Conboy. Nebraska voters will choose among the candidates on Nov. 3, when the state’s general election will also include races for governor, Congress, the Nebraska Legislature and several ballot measures.
